Sussing out the details

When an experienced and successful driver, such as Michael Schumacher, travels around a track � even one he�s driven many times before � he isn�t looking at how best to drive the track, he�s investigating any small changes that may have been made since last time he was here. He wants to know stuff like

• Where the protective barriers are placed
• How many layers of tyres are protecting key spots
• Whether the track surface has changed anywhere, and if it has, how the grip levels now compare to the grip levels before
• How deep the gravel traps are (some gravel traps literally beach the car if you go off into them, others can be driven gingerly across)
• Where the access roads for the rescue vehicles are. (These roads can double up as a useful route back onto the track if you go off.)
• Where the marshal posts are. (At each marshal post, a circuit worker is available on a motorcycle to give a driver a lift back to the pits should he need it.)

By observing key details of the track, experienced drivers gain important information that they can use to their advantage during the race. Take Michael Schumacher, for example. Few drivers equal his skill and knowledge of the various tracks, yet he doesn�t rest on his laurels. He susses out the details of each track he races on and uses these little details to hone his approach to the track. You�ll often see Schumacher in the practices pushing like crazy through specific corners, establishing where the absolute limit is. He can do this safe in the knowledge that he�s checked out the gravel trap and knows that, if he goes off, he�s not going to lose the rest of the session because his car got stuck there. He only pushes in this way on those corners where he knows he can rejoin the track.